Check-protector.



H. R.- SINCLAIR.

CHECK PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27. I915.

LM 5I- Patented. June 15, 1915.

Hfnesses. Inventor.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D C.

j Hurry RS'IncBu'II" r ru ns.

HARRY R. SINCLAIR, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHECKPROTECTOR.

Application filed February 27, 1915.

To all "whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY R. SINCLAIR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Check-Protectors, of which the fol lowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to check protectors and has for its object to provide a novel check protector which is of a size to be readily carried in the pocket, which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

In order to give an understanding of the invention 1 have illustrated herein a selected embodiment thereof which will now be described after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a check protector embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line wm, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the paper-perforating member.

My improved check protector is ofthat type which comprises a paper-perforating member having perforating points thereon to represent characters and a cooperating member having apertures to correspond to the points and by which the paper is forced over the points.

In devising my improved check protector I have aimed to provide a simple construction which has as few parts as possible and yet which is as effective in operation as more complicated devices which have here tofore been devised.

The check protector herein shown comprises a base plate 1 formed of sheet metal, a perforating member 2 which may be either integral with or secured to the base plate and carrying on its upper face a plurality of puncturing points 3 arranged to represent characters, and a top plate 4 having in its periphery a plurality of series of apertures 15 corresponding to the puncturing points 3. The base plate 1 which is made of sheet metal is provided with a central aperture 5 and the material immediately circumjacent the aperture is bent or struck up by means of suitable dies to form the annular portion 6 that extends laterally from the base plate, the portion 7 extending inwardly from the portion 6 and substantially parallel to the Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedJune 15, 1915. Serial No. 10,943.

plane of the base plate, and the portion 8 extending upwardly from the portion 7 The portion 7 constitutes a support for the cap-plate 4 and the portion 8 constitutes a means for connecting the cap-plate to the base plate, as will be presently described.

In the construction shown the perforating member 2 is in the form of a ring-like block of suitable thickness to give the required rigidity thereto and this encircles the central boss 6 and is secured to the peripheral portion of the base plate 1. This perforating member 2 can be secured to the base plate in any suitable way. As herein shown the edge 9 of the base plate is turned up so as to embrace the edge of the annular member 2. On the top surface of the perforating member 2 are a plurality of perforating projections 3 arranged to form the characters that it'is desired to impress on the check. The characters illustrated represent the digits from one to zero, together with a dol lar mark, although any appropriate characters may be used. These puncturing points or projections 3 will preferably be made integral with the member 2 and they are especially designed so that they will be self-stripping points. I find that if the puncturing points are made comparatively blunt or stubby that they will efiectively puncture the paper, but at the same time they will be readily withdrawn from the paper without the aid of a stripper. The cap-plate 4 is shown as supported on the portion 7 of the base plate 1 and as pro vided with a central aperture 10 of a size to receive the portion 8 and through which said portion projects. The cap-plate 4 is secured to the base plate by bending over the edge 11 of the portion 8, as shown in Fig. 2. This can be done when the parts are being assembled by means of suitable dies. The cap-plate 4 is formed with a plurality of radial arms 12, each of which is formed at its end with a head portion 13 having the perforations 15 therein. There are as many arms 12 as there are characters on the puncturing member 2, and the heads 13 of the arms are situated directly over the characters, and the perforations 15 on each arm correspond in position to the points of the corresponding character.

The device is of a convenient size so as to be readily held in one hand and to perforate a check one edge of the check to be perforated is introduced between the capplate I and the puncturing member 2 and the device is adjusted to bring the desired character into operative position, after which a simple pressure on the head 13 corresponding to the character to be perforated will force the puncturing points 3 of said character through the check and into the apertures 15, As soon as pressure on the head 13 is relieved, the resiliency of the arm 12 restores it to its initial position.

The shape of the puncturing points 3 is such that when the arm-12 is allowed to resume its normal position the paper will be automatically stripped from the points without the necessity of a stripper for this purpose. This is because the points are rather stubby instead of long and slender, and the stubbiness thereof acts to automatically shed the paper therefrom.

It will be noted that my check protector has few parts and is of a construction such that it can be inexpensively manufactured. Moreover, the construction thereof is such that when made it is very light in weight and can be readily carried in the pocket without the discomforture which would be caused by carrying a heavier device.

The construction herein shown involving the central aperture 5 is advantageous in that this central aperture provides means by which the device can be conveniently held on the finger or thumb, thus enabling the operator to more readily turn it to bring the desired character into operative position.

I claim:

1. In a check protector, the combination with a base plate having a central aperture and having the material circumjacent the aperture upset to form a central boss, of an annular perforating member overlying the periphery of said base plate and secured thereto, said perforating member having on its upper facepu-ncturing points to form a series of characters, and a cap-plate resting on and secured to said boss and presenting a plurality of radial resilient arms each having a series of openings therein to corre spond with the puncturing points of one character.

3. In a check protector, the combination (Jopies of this patent may be obtained for with a base-plate having a central aperture and having the material circumjacent said aperture upset to form a central boss and a plate-supporting flange at the upper end of the boss, of an annular perforating member overlying the periphery of said base plate and secured thereto, said perforating member having on its upper face puncturing points to form a series of characters, and a cap-plate resting von said plate-supporting flange and having a central aperture, the material of the base plate surrounding the aperture therein being bent over the edge of the cap-plate to hold the latter in position and said cap-plate having a plurality of resilient arms, each having perforations in line with the puncturing points constituting one character.

3. In a check protector, the combination with a base plate, of a ring-shaped perforating member overlying the peripheral portion of said plate and secured thereto, said perforating member having on its upper face self-stripping puncturing points to form a series of characters, and a cap-plate secured directly to the base plate and pro-- vided with a plurality of resilient arms, each having apertures corresponding to the puncturing points constituting one character.

4:. In a check protector, the combination with a base plate having a central aperture and having the material circumjacent the aperture upset to form a central boss, said base plate having associated therewith a perforating member provided with puncturing points to form a series of characters, and a cap plate resting on and secured to said boss and presenting a plurality of radial resilient arms, each having a series of openings therein to correspond with the puncturing points of one character.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY R. SINCLAIR.

Witnesses:

A. G. LUGHSINGER, B. L. FORMAN.

Washington, D. C. 

